A healthy, well-maintained lawn has many benefits. It’s not just about getting a green lawn. Properly timed and applied fertilizer actually protects the Chesapeake Bay by providing dense root mass that stops soil erosion and leaching of the fertilizer. A healthy lawn is an excellent sequester of carbon, provides noise and dust reduction and a safe playing area for kids.
Did you know that a lawn area just 50-ft square absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and releases enough oxygen for a family of four to breathe? Or that the grass and trees along the U.S. interstate highway system release enough oxygen to support 22 million people! That green patch of earth under your feet is not only beautiful, it’s environmentally beneficial.
Scientific research has documented the many benefits of turfgrass to our environment. Today’s improved turfgrass varieties are very effective in reducing pollution. A thick healthy lawn traps and removes dust and dirt from the air. It also acts as a natural filter, reducing pollution by purifying the water passing through its root zone. The clean gentle strength of turfgrass is the most cost-effective method for controlling wind and water erosion. A thick, healthy ProLawnPlus lawn absorbs rainfall and prevents major runoff.
Another often overlooked benefit of a healthy lawn is its tremendous cooling effect! On a hot summer day, lawns will be 30 degrees cooler than asphalt and 14 degrees cooler than bare soil. The front lawns of eight houses have a cooling effect of about 70 tons of air conditioning. That’s amazing when the average home has an air conditioner with just a three or four-ton capacity. The cooling effect of irrigated turf reduces the amount of fuel that must be burned to provide the electricity which powers air conditioners.
A well-maintained lawn can also enhance the “curb appeal” of your home, adding as much as 15% to the value, while providing a natural and safe setting for fun and games. The soft resilient surface of turfgrass is the safest and least expensive place to play. From backyard games to the NFL, athletes of all sizes prefer the green cushion of turfgrass. A healthy, thick lawn quietly adds to the beauty of our lives and even our mental and physical health. As you can see, the satisfaction of creating a beautiful lawn can be rewarding for you and the environment.